Present simple vs present continuous
Habits and facts (I work every day) vs actions happening now or around now (I'm working at the moment).
Examples use vocabulary from Unit 9. English has two important present tenses. In this unit you learn when to use the present simple and when to use the present continuous — not only the grammar forms.
A — The present simple: when do we use it?
We use the present simple in the following situations:
1) To talk about general truths and natural realities
things that are always true, or true in general.
- The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
- Water boils at 100°C.
- I work in a bank.
2) To talk about our habits and routines
things we do regularly, but not necessarily right now.
- I go to school by bus. (This is my usual way — I am not on the bus at this moment.)
- She drinks coffee every morning.
- We visit our grandparents at the weekend.
3) To talk about permanent situations and facts about our lives
where we live, what our job is, what language we speak.
- They live in London.
- He speaks three languages.
- My sister works in a hospital.
4) To talk about timetables and schedules
fixed times in the future that are already arranged.
- The train leaves at 8:15.
- School starts at nine o'clock on Monday.
The rest of this lesson is in the General English course:
- Present simple — form
- Time words that often go with the present simple
- B — The present continuous: when do we use it?
- Present continuous — form
- Time words that often go with the present continuous
- C — Present simple or present continuous?
- Verbs we usually do not use in the continuous
- Spelling: how to make verb + -ing
Try it: Present simple or present continuous?
Choose the best tense for each sentence.
- I usually ___ to work by bus.
(a) go (b) am going (c) going - Shh! The baby ___ .
(a) sleeps (b) is sleeping (c) sleep - She ___ English and French.
(a) is speaking (b) speaks (c) speak - Look! It ___ outside.
(a) snows (b) is snowing (c) snow
Check your answers in the course — it marks them instantly. This is one of the unit's 4 exercises; the other 3 are in the General English course too.
Practise this unit in the course →